Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Jamestown City Council’s Finance and Legal, Building Planning, and Zoning, and Civic Center and Promotion Committees met Wednesday afternoon (Oct 23, 2012) at City Hall.  Council Member Gumke was not present.

 

With Finance and Legal Business..

The request from Leo and Kari Ness tabled from the October 1, 2012, City Council meeting, regarding interest in purchasing City Lots in Beverly Hills 6th Addition.

Mayor Andersen said the committee did not have specific information for the meeting for consideration, as the memo from City Attorney Ken Dalsted arrived late Tuesday afternoon.

The item will be moved to the Thursday committee meeting, after review of the memo from Dalsted.

The committee then considered the request from William Mickelson for reconsideration of a license to operate a Taxi Service.

Mayor Andersen said a background check raised concerns about Mickelson,

and his license request was denied.

At Tuesday’s meeting it was stated that the Aggravated Assault and Terrorizing charges against him were dismissed.

He said he has custody of his daughter, and is employed in Jamestown.

The Mayor said the city’s previous concerns are no longer concerns, in light of the new information.

He said the taxi service is proposed to be 24 hours.

Mikelson said another person will be able to fill in driving if he unable to do so.

He said he is not requesting a city subsidy.

With reconsidering the previous denial of a taxi license, committee recommends granting the taxi license to Mikelson.

 

The committee discussed license and permit fee modifications and rate adjustments for the city utility funds, to be effective January 1, 2013.

City Administrator Jeff Fuchs says the figures are the same as in the 2013 budget.

He said the utility rates are adjusted annually, and the license and permit fees were last increased in 2009.

Fuchs said Jamestown has a total of 25 liquor licenses of all types.

Council Member Buchanan proposed that the license and permit fees should be higher, an average of 50 percent higher.

Mayor Andersen said the proposed increases are appropriate.

The committee recommends the proposed increases, which was opposed by Council Member Buchanan.

 

The committee recommends accepting of the 2011 City Audit, as prepared by Schauer & Associates, PC. The report is available on the city’s web site.

A presentation will be made at the November 5, 2012 City Council meeting.

 

Informational: Monthly departmental and financial reports were presented.

 

A property owner talked about water backups in his neighborhood, along 13th Avenue Sourtheast  which he has asked the city for assistance with, concerning a curb cut installed by the city at his driveway.

He said vehicles scrape on the curb when trying to use the driveway.

Mayor Andersen said the committee will meet with the City Engineer, and the city’s legal council,  for more information, and possible solutions.

 

With Building Planning, and Zoning Committee Business:

Informational: Planning Commission minutes of October 8, 2012 were presented.

The committee considered the plat of Berndt’s Addition, a portion of Blocks 39, 40 & 47 and a portion of vacated 18th Avenue adjacent to Block 32 together with a portion of those unplatted lands within Government Lot 12 of Section 26, T140N, R64W, referred back to committee from the October 1, 2012, City Council meeting.

Mayor Andersen said the plat does not comply with a city Ordinance because of a lack of a plan for water, and sewer, availability, and the road being able to be brought to grade.

The City Attorney, City Administrator, City Engineer and City Planning Commission Chairman will meet to address issues before acting further on the plat.

The committee recommends forwarding the plat to the November 5, 2012 City Council meeting without recommendation.

 

Discussion  concerning the draft ordinance amendment for Section 8, Appendix B, of the City Code as a result of the public input meeting previously held, was delayed, pending a draft of the City Attorney.

 

Civic Center and Promotion Committee:

No items at this time.

Committee Chairman Charlie Kourajian suggested a meeting be held soon concerning a contract, and funding of the Buffalo City Tourism Foundation.

The meeting was shown live on CSi 67 followed by replays.